# NTSB CHI94LA210: Taylorcraft BL-65, N26690, Peshtigo, WI, June 25, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 1994, 06:10 local (11:10 UTC) - Place: Peshtigo, WI - Coordinates: 45.049316, -87.740844 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0493&lon=-87.7408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9577/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA210 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the takeoff which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor related to the accident was the tall grass on the airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BECAME 'MUSHY AND UNRESPONSIVE' DURING TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED TO THE LEFT AND CONTACTED THE AIRSTRIP IN A LEFT WING/NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. INSPECTION REVEALED NORMAL OPERATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. THE AIRSTRIP GRASS WAS APPROXIMATELY 6 TO 8 INCHES TALL. 50 FOOT TALL TREES WERE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1,000 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 20 POUNDS UNDER GROSS WEIGHT. ## Factual narrative On June 25, 1994, at 0610 central daylight time, a Taylorcraft BL-65, N26690, registered to Robert W. White, collided with the terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from a private airstrip in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, while on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that at an altitude of approximately 20 feet above ground level the flight controls "failed to respond." During a telephone interview, he stated the flight controls became "mushy and unresponsive" to control input. The airplane then descended to the left contacting the ground with the left wing and propeller. The airplane and accident site were inspected by a Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) from the Milwaukee Flight Standards District Office. The PMI reported that, "All flight control operation was normal" during the inspection. The PMI also reported the grass on the airstrip was thin and approximately 6 to 8 inches high. Approximately 1,000 feet from the departure end of the airstrip are 50 foot tall trees. The PMI reported the airplane lifted off approximately 1/2 was down the runway. The airplane came to rest on the airstrip approximately 50 feet beyond the initial impact point. The PMI estimated the airplane was approximately 20 pounds under the maximum gross weight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26690](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26690-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 2032, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BL-65 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BL-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bl-65) (registry code 8850350) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2032 - Airframe hours: 3774 - Engines: LYCOMING O-145-B2 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert W. White - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1994, 4 hours before - Airport: Private, runway 27, 1,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 112 total, 26 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MNM, 8 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940625016699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940625016699A), Jun 25, 1994: Tcraft BL65, Peshtigo, WI, Substantial damage. Early liftoff from tall grass strip controls mushy. Stalled. Impacted nose and wing low. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.